Sins cost and that “cost” can be higher and last longer than we expect. I have experienced this truth first hand and I don’t think I’m the only person.
As I was studying Psalm 78 with Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Old Testament Volume 2, Pg. 100, what he said about sin and what it costs really hit home.
“God does forgive. And we can come back. But things will be different. We’ll be forgiven completely, but opportunities will be lost and scars will remain.”
Not only that, but we will also have to suffer the consequences for our sin or sins.
Sins Cost? It Never Occurred To Me
I am not the person I was when I was younger. I wish I had never been that person. I wish I didn’t have the memories that I do. Of course, back then, I wasn’t thinking like this. I was thinking only of what I wanted and thought I needed. It never occurred to me that the things I was doing and the way I was living my life would come back to haunt me later. Unfortunately, if someone had tried to tell me, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. I had to learn the hard way.
Am I forgiven? Yes. I know God has forgiven me. I am no longer that person. But the memories will always be there, and they aren’t always dormant. And I have no control over when and how often they invade my waking hours. I will be haunted by these memories for as long as I live. And each time they pop up, I feel dirty all over again.
But recently I found this quote by Lewis B. Smedes and it has helped me conquer these demon memories.
“A healed memory isn’t a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we can’t forget creates a new way to remember.”
Bible Verses About Sins Cost
be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23b)
His mischief shall return upon his own head, (Psalm 7:16a)
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:24)
For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. (Luke 12:2)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; (Galatians 6:7‑8a)
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)